Bread and Roses

Bread and Roses is a collective of women identified radio activists. We offer feminist public affairs programming. We give voice to those working for social justice and equity, globally and locally. We strive to challenge systems of oppression. All this, and we have fun!

Episode Archive

Gain tools for overcoming winter depression.
Hear from Katherine Ball and other women involved with PDX Bike Swarm about the plan to shut down the West Coast on 12/12. The Bike Swarm will participate in the blockade of the Port of Portland. We will talk about using creativity and humor and the role of women in the "Occupy" movement.
Hosted by Nicole Vulcan and Gabriele Ross

WomenStrength - Become a Self Defense/Empowerment Instructor for Women and Girls!

WomenStrength - Become a Self Defense/Empowerment Instructor for Women and Girls!

Since 1979, WomenStrength has taught holistic self defense to ~30,000 women and girls in the Portland area. WomenStrength and GirlStrength classes are designed to introduce a variety of strategies, including survival level fighting skills, to defend against sexual assault. Instructors emphasize that each threat must be assessed quickly, and empower women and girls to trust their intuition, identify risks, know their strengths, and explore options for dealing with the threat of sexual violence.

Lidia Yukanvitch, author of The Chronology of Water on Bread and Roses

I thought if my life has a chronology, it's the chronology of water - the way water carved the earth, the way water carries us into the world, the way we are made of water and the way water retreats and comes... - Lidia Yuknavitch

Join Bread and Roses on Friday, November 25th at 6pm as we host Lidia Yukanvitch, local writer, teacher, activist, feminist and author of the recent memoir The Chronology of Water.

She'll talk about her journey surviving life's tsunamis. She might even say that water saved her life....

Occupy! Call in to share your thoughts on what's been gained, and your vision of what's next: 503-231-8187! And: We journey to the roots of caring with a celebration of the anniversary of the Charter for Compassion, a global interfaith call for compassionate action."Compassion manifests itself not by thinking, but by doing," proclaims the charter. See charterforcompassion.org

This Land is Our Land: A Community Sing-a-Long organized by Pink Martini and an interfaith coalition in support of Occupy Portland & Wall Street recently drew thousands to Pioneer Courthouse Square. We'll hear music from the event, speak with faith leaders who have worked on peace and justice issues for years, and hear from listeners about the Occupy movement. Call in: 503-231-8187!

We open Halloween weekend with the frightening prospect of voting rights for women in Oregon and a visit to Syria- once called the Axis of Evil. Century of Action historians will detail next week's commemorative suffragette events. See centuryofaction.org

And, author Stephanie Saldana discusses her book "Bread of Angels" In Syria after 9/11 she she found faith, love and hope in a country full of immigrants fleeing from wars. Says poet Naomi Shihab Nye: "The Bread of Angels is dazzling, brilliant, funny...a love letter to the Middle East."

An ancient art and contemporary practice: Midwives in Oregon fall across the spectrum in their training and approach to the journey of pregnancy and childbirth. The Oregon Midwifery Council and Oregon Midwives join us to explore myths, stereotypes and current realities of birthing with a midwife. Join the discussion! Call in at 503-231-8187.

Join us in a conversation with two Portland based artists who explore multiple identities in their work.

Diana Abu-Jaber is a writer who is introducing her newest book "Birds of Paradise" in several readings locally. Sabina Haque is a visual artist who invites the public to "Portland Open Studios" this weekend. Both also teach at Portland State University.

Publis Health Issues Through the Eyes of Women - Fetal Development and Domestic Violence

Public Health Issues through the Eyes of Women

Recent scientific data suggests that low birthweight babies have a 5 times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. In light of these discoveries, many politicians are still pushing to cut programs promoting maternal health, such as WIC - Women, Infants and Children program. Join Bread and Roses host, Ashley Thirstrup at 6:00 PM on Sep. 30th as she looks at several public health issues affecting primarily women - maternal health/fetal development and domestic violence.

Audio

Once upon a time, nations and citizens worked together to articulate a path for peace and justice, and the Universal Declarations of Human Rights was born. Hear about this history and free resources, then spend a moment honoring the family members of Guantanamo prisoners. For free resources, see: www.humanrights.com Music: Eva Cassidy: "Imagine"; Sweet Honey in the Rock: "Hope"

Science tells us we are wired for fair play. Relgion tells us to stay true to the Golden Rule--treat others as you would be treated. Yet global and interpersonal violence persists. Have we lost our capacity for compassion? Sister Joan Chittister, an activist and author of Called to Question, is one of many scholars worldwide advocating for a return to the roots of caring and a commitment to do no harm. www.charterforcompassion.org "This is not a pious and pretty little topic," says Sister Joan in this provocative interview.

Deena Guzder has reported for Time Magazine, Mother Jones, United Press International, and other publications on human rights issues across the world. She is the author of a forthcoming book, currently scheduled for release by Chicago Review Press in 2010. Please visit: www.deenaguzder.com

In this show Gabriele Ross interviews Deena Guzder on Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking, particularly in Thailand

Tori Murden McClure, the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, shares her journey of heart and soul. "In the end," she says, "I know I rowed across the Atlantic to find my heart. But in the beginning I wasn't aware it was missing." Ms McClure is not just an explorer, she is also committed to social justice. See www.apearlinthestorm.com

Crimp, a lucky dog from K-Falls Oregon, and his owner, Liz Parrish, triumphed recently in the 1,000-mile Iditarod dogsled race across Alaska. Both Crimp and 50-year-old Liz overcame tremendous physical difficulties to complete the grueling race. Their inspiring stories are told in a new book, Crimp On-By. www.lifethroughdogs.com

When owners threatened to sell Seattle's women's professional (WNBA) basektball team to Oklahoma, fans rallied to keep the team. Former season ticket holder, now new owner, Dawn Trudeau shares how a community saved the Seattle Storm, the remaining women's pro-basektball team in the Pacific Northwest.

A young basketball player's courage ends 20 years of discrimination at U-Penn. We speak to Dee Mosbacher who, with Fawn Yacker, produced and directed Training Rules which tells this remarkable story. www.trainingrules.com

Yes, this will be my last show with Bread & Roses and I wouldn't have come this far in producing shows like this had it not been for the wonderful opportunities to create radio with the help of this collective. I'll still be on KBOO every other Saturday night from 7pm - 10pm hosting an Evening of Afrotainment and will continue to produce public affairs pieces for either podcasting or airing on other programs. Send me an email and let me know if you'd like to be added to the email list for future announcements on my shows.